Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The North Atlantic right whale calving season has come to a close. In total, 15 mother-calf pairs were sighted in the Southeast U.S. this winter. The mothers are about 12-40 years old and last gave birth between 2009 (thirteen years ago) and 2020*. There were no first-time mothers sighted this season. One calf is presumed dead, likely due to natural causes, and about half the other mother-calf pairs have already been sighted by research partners in spring feeding habitats in the Northeast U.S. The entangled mother, Catalog #3560, hasn’t been re-sighted yet.
Two mothers, including Catalog #2360 ‘Derecha’, lost their 2020 calves to vessel strikes and were able to give birth again two years later. This turnaround is quicker than the minimum 3-4 years typically needed between calves.
The North Atlantic right whale calving season has come to a close. In total, 15 mother-calf pairs were sighted in the Southeast U.S. this winter. The mothers are about 12-40 years old and last gave birth between 2009 (thirteen years ago) and 2020*. There were no first-time mothers sighted this season. One calf is presumed dead, likely due to natural causes, and about half the other mother-calf pairs have already been sighted by research partners in spring feeding habitats in the Northeast U.S. The entangled mother, Catalog #3560, hasn’t been re-sighted yet.
Two mothers, including Catalog #2360 ‘Derecha’, lost their 2020 calves to vessel strikes and were able to give birth again two years later. This turnaround is quicker than the minimum 3-4 years typically needed between calves.
